Important Coastal and Marine Biodiversity Areas (ICMBAs)

(Photo: Bijoy Das Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary)

India has taken several steps to achieve the National Biodiversity Target no 6 and Aichi Biodiversity Target no 11 which aim to conserve a substantial portion of the coastal and marine areas in the country and world respectively. Towards achieving these two targets, 106 coastal and marine sites have been identified and prioritized as Important Coastal and Marine Areas (ICMBAs) by the Wildlife Institute of India. Sixty-two ICMBAs have been identified along the west coast of India, and 44 have been identified along the east coast. Of these, 22 ICMBAs have been prioritized for immediate conservation actions and proposed to be upgraded as Protected Areas under categories such as Conservation or Communities Reserve to increase participation of the local communities in governance. more details..